John Mooney
DEALING
WITH THE DEVIL
Ruf 1355
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This man should be locked up for the vicious and savage assault he commits upon his guitar when he plays. The unbridled havoc he wrecks each time he attacks a song (sorry I can't think of any other word to describe the way he 'does' a song) is a wonder to this listener. I wondered how often he goes through guitars. He has made his deal with the devil, and it is to play as if he is the devil incarnate wrecking havoc on the charnel grounds. As brutal an assault as this disc is, the love and reverence this man feels for his music is nakedly apparent to the most jaded listener. The disc came just before I left for Jazz Fest, and I remembered reading a blurb that New Orleans was happy to have one of it's favorites playing the fest for the first time since his self imposed exile of several years. I circled the show and made a note to go see it. It seemed as his show time approached all the traffic headed in that direction and there was a crackling of anticipation in the air. The man did not disappoint the more than overflowing crowd that was primed and ready for an explosion. He burst upon the stage assaulting his electric guitar with his band barreling down the highway full out. Go see him if you have the chance. Maybe he will leap upon his bass players acoustic base and never miss a lick for you to. His stage presence will not let you leave. Back to this disc which I put on when I got home to discover it is him playing acoustically by himself in a live setting. Initial disappointment until the music came forth. He is every bit as alive and dynamic here as with a full band. Before you think the man can only go assault with energy, listen to his subtle playing and impeccable timing on U TOLD ME, or the quiet control of IT DON'T MEAN A DOGGONE THING. He never seems to put his
slide down, and that is to his benefit, as his is some of the most inventive slide playing I have heard in a while. Evidently he studied with and had as his mentor Son House. This edifies some of the playing and phrasing that at times has that slight familiar ring, but is a step or two removed from the master. This disc should not be missed and if you get a chance to see him live, well you're a fool if you pass it up.
Songs, times and writers
1. NEW SOMEDAY BABY - 4:06 - John Estes and John Mooney
2. BABY PLEASE DON'T GO - 4:01 Big Joe Williams arr. John Mooney
3. TRAVELIN' RIVERSIDE BLUES - 3:02 - Robert Johnson
4. BROKEN MOLD - 2:54 - John Mooney
5. LATE ON IN THE EVENING - 6:05 - John Mooney
6. KEEP IT CLEAN - 2:48 - Charly Jordan/ Bo Johnson arr. John Mooney
7. U TOLD ME - 3:14 - John Mooney
8. JUNCO PARTNER - 4:17 - Bob Shad arr. John Mooney
9. IT DON'T MEAN A DOGGONE THING - 6:12 - John Mooney
10. COUNTRY BOY - 5:36 - F. Eaglin
11. GRINNIN' IN YOUR FACE - 2:04 - S. Ed House
12. SACRED GROUND - 3:29 - John Mooney
13. SHORTNIN' BREAD - 6:05 - trad. arr. John Mooney
John Mooney - vocals, guitar and foot tapping